How long does follow up with a breast surgeon continue?

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Kat01
Kat01 Member Posts: 13
edited January 2020 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I had a right side mastectomy and expander placement in September 2019 . I am in the middle of reconstruction with my Plastic surgeon (expander fillings) as I wait for exchange surgery with him . Also of course seeing my Oncologist regularly as I settle into taking the drug exemestane. I have seen the Breast surgeon 3 times now since the surgery. This last visit the NP there at the surgeons office said I would be seeing them every 3 months and they would schedule all mammograms in the future. Is that normal to keep seeing the Breast surgeon? Doesnt seem necessary to me. The NP asked a lot of questions , that when I answered she would say to each answer "well you need to take that up with your plastic surgeon or take that up with your oncologist. During the exam she said lie back and raise your arms. I did. She said oh you dont need to raised them that high unless you're just trying to show off. This last surgeon appointment really felt like a waste of time. Not sure who to ask if this is protocol or what.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited January 2020

    The first time around I was told he would follow me for 5 years, every 6 months. Ok, whatever. About 2 years later I was discharged because he was so busy. Cool!!! One less thing. 7 years later, this past January I was back settling up more surgery.

    You can stop when you want to, go back if you Need to.

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  • Kat01
    Kat01 Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2020

    Thank you

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  • Yogatyme
    Yogatyme Member Posts: 2,349
    edited January 2020

    I only saw my breast surgeon once after surgery. All FU is done by breast specialist. I did not have reconstruction so no PS appts.

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited January 2020

    Only saw the surgeon twice after surgery, although of course he told me to return should there be any problems. Continued follow-up is with the MO.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2020

    I never had to see him again after the initial BMX. I see my PS regularly because he checks implants manually and orders regular MRIs to ensure the implant integrity (I think every 3 years-insurance won't pay for any more than that).


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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited January 2020

    My experience was the same as Bessie's, haven't seen my BS in years.

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited January 2020

    I went to several post-op appointments with my BS and she said I could keep seeing her or not. I figured that since I’m still seeing my RO and MO, continuing with my BS was overkill. I’m not sure why but my RO has always ordered my mammos. I’m sure any of your MDs could take this over.

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  • Kat01
    Kat01 Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2020

    Thank you all very much.

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  • Beaverntx
    Beaverntx Member Posts: 3,183
    edited January 2020

    On the other hand, it is my BS who is following me. My PCP orders blood work, such as a liver panel, and BS orders mammograms. RO dismissed me after the visit following first post rads mammogram. Have not seen a MO as chemo was not indicated. BS is very knowledgeable and does the gentlest, most thorough breast exams I've ever had. I was seeing her every 3 months with mammos every 6 months; have recently changed to seeing her every 6 months and yearly mammos.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2020

    I think we can pretty much pick the doc who does the best job of following up and is responsive to our questions and concerns. I love my BS, but only saw her 3x after surgery. I saw the RO several times over 2 years after treatment because she was the one who caught the LE and did the referral to PT. The PS is a god in his own tower & while undoubtedly the best surgeon in town, is not personable or interested in answering questions. The MO that I loved and trusted & I would still be seeing for everything (including the common cold) retired. The replacement MO doesn't have any incentive to learn about me since he took over post active treatment.

    So I've tailored my treatment to suit myself. I see my Gyn every year because she does great exams and because she or her nurse give my Prolia shots. She also orders DEXA scans. I see my PCP once a year for a wellness check and she has taken over writing the orders for blood work every 6 months (including the cancer antigen tests) I pass those test results along to other docs. I see the MO every 12+ months (stretching it out now I don't need him to write orders for blood) and under duress I can sometimes get him to order ULS and MRI imaging.

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  • Murfy
    Murfy Member Posts: 342
    edited January 2020

    I have an MO and PCP (who orders mammos), so BS was 'fired' about 6 mos after surgery. No reconstruction here either.

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  • MydogandIhadcancer
    MydogandIhadcancer Member Posts: 24
    edited January 2020

    I had a three visits post surgery: routine follow up but sadly kept the drains, drain and partial staple removal, final staple removal. I was discharged to my oncologist for one follow up whom I'll see every four minths, then every six, then...

    I had a double mastectomy, no recon.

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  • Badluckbdaygirl
    Badluckbdaygirl Member Posts: 77
    edited January 2020

    I think it varies by location, what type of treatment you have. I saw my BS one last time a week after BMX, he was the one to go over path report. He released me that day because I had full range of motion. He said he would have seen me one more time in 6 months had I not. I’m seeing the PS for fills and going to a medical oncologist next week about Tamoxifen.

    My moms was different, I think because she had a lumpectomy/rads. Her BS is the one that schedules her mammos and she told me she will see her for the rest of her life. So who knows?

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  • ctmbsikia
    ctmbsikia Member Posts: 1,095
    edited January 2020

    I was told the MO would be the Dr. following me. I'm 2 yrs since diagnosis and still see both BS and MO every 6 months. BS orders my imaging and MO does everything else. I imagine one day when I get to annual and get a few clear mammos and/or MRIs the BS will release me. I couldn't wait to be done with the RO. Brutal busy place, great Dr., couldn't wait to get out of there.

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